Step-by-step Guide to the Family Reunification Process in Greece (2026)

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The family reunification process in Greece 2026 allows third-country nationals and recognised refugees who hold lawful residence in the country to bring their spouse, minor children, and dependent parents to live with them. The procedure follows a defined sequence, sponsor eligibility verification, national D‑visa application at a Greek consulate abroad, entry to Greece, and filing for a residence permit at the local Aliens and Immigration office. Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17/06. 02. 2026), which modernises Greece’s legal migration framework and transposes EU Directive 2024/1233, has introduced processing-time guidance, adjusted D‑visa requirements, and revised documentary standards that directly affect every stage of the reunification procedure.

This guide sets out each step, the documents needed, realistic timelines, costs, and the most common pitfalls, everything a sponsor or family member needs to prepare an application under the current rules.

Overview of the family reunification process and who it applies to

Family reunification in Greece follows a five-stage path. The sponsor, the person already lawfully resident in Greece, first establishes that they meet the eligibility criteria (income, accommodation, residence status). The family member abroad then applies for a national (Type D) visa at the Greek consulate responsible for their country of residence. Once the D‑visa is granted, the family member travels to Greece and, within the prescribed period after arrival, submits an application for a family reunification residence permit at the competent Aliens and Immigration Service. After processing and a decision by the Migration Ministry, the residence card is issued.

The procedure applies to spouses and registered partners, unmarried minor children (under 18), and, in certain circumstances, dependent parents of the sponsor. Beneficiaries of international protection (recognised refugees and holders of subsidiary protection) have a separate, expedited pathway with relaxed evidentiary requirements, administered through the Greek Asylum Service. Golden Visa holders may include family members in their initial investment application or apply through the standard family reunification route thereafter. In almost every case, the D‑visa is the mandatory gateway for entry, the main exception being family members of EU/EEA citizens, who follow EU free-movement rules instead.

Family reunification requirements Greece 2026: eligibility and prerequisites

Sponsor obligations and eligibility checks

Before any visa application is filed, the sponsor in Greece must demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions set by immigration law. The core sponsor obligations under the family reunification requirements for Greece in 2026 are:

• Lawful residence. The sponsor must hold a valid Greek residence permit, whether temporary, permanent, or investor-based (Golden Visa). Greek and EU/EEA citizens follow a different framework and are not required to hold a residence permit.
• Adequate income. The sponsor must show stable and regular resources sufficient to support the family without recourse to the social assistance system. Evidence typically includes employment contracts, payslips (covering the most recent 3–12 months), tax declarations (E1 form), and EFKA social-security contribution records. There is no single statutory income figure published; the assessment is carried out by the competent authority on a case-by-case basis, with reference to general living costs and the number of dependants.
• Suitable accommodation. The sponsor must prove they have adequate housing for the family, via a rental contract, property title, or other lawful occupancy document, sometimes accompanied by utility bills and confirmation of floor area.
• Clean criminal record. Some consulates and immigration offices request a criminal record certificate from the sponsor as well as from the applicant. Confirm requirements with the specific consulate.

Eligible family member categories

The following family members may apply:

• Spouse or registered partner. The marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised. If the marriage took place outside Greece, the foreign spouse must apply for a Type D visa at the Greek consulate responsible for their country of residence.
• Minor children (under 18). Biological or legally adopted children of the sponsor or of the spouse. Children approaching 18 should file promptly to avoid age-out issues.
• Dependent parents. Parents of the sponsor or the spouse, where dependency (financial or medical) can be documented. Eligibility for parent reunification may be more restricted depending on the sponsor’s permit category.

Exceptions and refugee-specific rules

Recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection may apply for family reunification through the Greek Asylum Service. They are generally exempt from the income and accommodation requirements that apply to other sponsors, provided the application is filed within a defined period after recognition. The procedure is separate: the Asylum Service processes the request, and upon approval the family members receive entry visas from the competent Greek consulate. Family members must then apply for their own residence permit within one month of arrival in Greece. Full procedural details for protection holders are published by UNHCR Greece and the Asylum Information Database (AIDA/ECRE).

How to apply: step-by-step family reunification procedure in Greece

The following numbered steps describe the standard family reunification process in Greece 2026 for non-EU sponsors and their family members. Each step identifies who acts, what forms or evidence are needed, and indicative durations. The consolidated timeline table appears at the end of this section.

Step 1. Sponsor collects and prepares eligibility evidence

The sponsor in Greece gathers the required documents proving lawful residence, income, accommodation, and family ties. This includes obtaining certified copies of tax declarations, EFKA contribution records, the rental contract or property deed, and an up-to-date copy of their residence permit. If the sponsor is a recognised refugee, the relevant documentation is the asylum decision and any temporary residence document. The sponsor should also prepare a formal invitation or affidavit confirming the family relationship and their intention to host the family member. Typical duration: 1–4 weeks, depending on how quickly documents can be obtained from employers, the tax office, and local authorities.

Step 2. Family member applies for a national D‑visa at the Greek consulate

The family member schedules an appointment at the Greek consulate or embassy responsible for their country of residence. They submit the MFA national visa application form (the standard long-stay D‑visa form available on the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs website), together with a passport valid for the intended period of stay, the sponsor’s supporting documents, legalised and translated certificates (marriage, birth), proof of health insurance, passport-format photographs, criminal record certificate (for adult applicants), and the applicable consular fee. The D visa family reunification Greece category must be clearly selected on the application form. Consular appointment availability varies, early booking is recommended, particularly at high-volume posts. Typical processing: 4–12 weeks, consulate-dependent.

Law 5275/2026 includes provisions aimed at streamlining D‑visa processing, though actual timelines still depend on each consulate’s caseload.

Step 3. Consular decision and visa issuance

The consulate assesses the application and may request supplementary documents or an interview. If approved, the D‑visa is affixed to the applicant’s passport, usually as a single-entry or limited multiple-entry sticker valid for the authorised stay period. Once the visa is issued, the family member books travel to Greece. The visa sticker will state the permitted duration and entry conditions. Applicants should retain copies of all submitted documents for the residence permit application that follows.

Step 4. Arrival in Greece and registration

Upon entering Greece, the family member must apply for a residence permit for family reunification within the period prescribed by law. Under the framework consolidated by Law 5275/2026, family members of beneficiaries of international protection must file in person within one month of arrival. For other categories, the deadline is similarly tight, early indications suggest that the standard expectation remains approximately 30 days, though applicants should confirm the exact window with the local Aliens and Immigration Service office or the Migration Ministry. Registration involves attending the competent Aliens and Immigration office (Diefthinsi Allodapon kai Metanastefsis) or One-Stop Service Centre for the region where the sponsor resides.

Step 5. Residence permit application and biometrics

At the appointment, the family member submits the residence permit application together with all supporting documents (see the full documents table below), provides biometric data (fingerprints and photograph), and pays the applicable application fee. The local office forwards the file to the Migration Ministry or the competent Decentralised Administration for processing. Under Law 5275/2026, the stated policy objective is to accelerate residence permit processing; industry observers expect a practical processing window of 1–6 months, varying by region and caseload. Athens and Thessaloniki offices historically carry heavier backlogs than smaller regional centres.

Step 6. Decision and residence card collection

Once the application is approved, the family member is notified to collect the residence permit card. Card production and collection typically take 2–4 weeks after the positive decision, though delays can occur. The residence permit for family reunification is usually issued for the same duration as the sponsor’s permit and is renewable. Holders gain the right to reside in Greece, and, depending on the permit category, may also gain access to employment, education, and healthcare.

If you need guidance at any stage of this procedure, you can find an immigration lawyer in Greece through the Global Law Experts directory.

Consolidated timeline table

Documents needed for family reunification in Greece

The documents table below consolidates what both the sponsor and the family member must prepare. All foreign-issued documents must be legalised (apostille under the Hague Convention or consular legalisation for non-Hague countries) and accompanied by a certified Greek translation. Translations must be carried out by a certified translator recognised by the Greek authorities or by the Greek consulate itself.

Tip: Prepare a full photocopy set of every document before attending the consular appointment. Missing or incorrectly legalised documents are the single most common cause of delay.

Family reunification timeline Greece: key deadlines under the 2026 rules

The total end-to-end timeline for the family reunification process in Greece 2026 depends on the consulate’s workload, the completeness of the application, and the processing speed of the local Aliens and Immigration office. The following table summarises realistic time expectations.

Applicants should note that processing times are indicative, not statutory guarantees. Law 5275/2026 includes policy provisions aimed at accelerating permit processing, but actual performance varies. Where delays exceed expected windows, applicants may seek updates through the competent immigration practice area or directly from the Migration Ministry.

Costs, fees, and tax considerations

The following cost estimates apply to the standard family reunification process in Greece. All amounts are approximate and should be confirmed with the relevant authority or consulate before filing.

Sponsors should also be aware that demonstrating adequate income may require submitting recent tax returns (E1 form) and EFKA contribution records. The assessment is conducted on a case-by-case basis, with no single published income threshold, the competent authority evaluates whether the sponsor’s resources are sufficient to support the household without reliance on social assistance.

What changes in 2026: Law 5275/2026 and the family reunification process

Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17/06.02.2026) is Greece’s new immigration law, modernising the country’s legal migration framework and transposing EU Directive 2024/1233. The law entered into force upon publication in the Government Gazette, though certain provisions include transitional timelines. The changes most relevant to family reunification include:

• D‑visa processing guidance. The law introduces policy targets for standardising and accelerating D‑visa processing at Greek consulates. The likely practical effect will be greater consistency across consular posts, although individual processing times will continue to vary.
• Residence permit processing acceleration. Law 5275/2026 includes provisions aimed at reducing residence permit backlogs, with an emphasis on digitalisation and streamlined administrative procedures within the Migration Ministry and Decentralised Administrations.
• Alignment with EU standards. The transposition of EU Directive 2024/1233 introduces updated requirements on documentary evidence, rights of family members upon permit issuance, and procedural safeguards (including notification obligations and appeal rights).
• Expanded flexibility for certain categories. Early indications suggest that the law increases flexibility for sponsors who hold investment-based permits (Golden Visa) and for highly skilled workers, potentially simplifying the documentation pathway for their family members.

Applicants and sponsors should check whether any transitional provisions apply to their specific case, particularly if the application was initiated before the law’s publication date. The full text of Law 5275/2026 is available on official legislative databases, and practical summaries have been published by PwC Greece and other leading law firms.

Common pitfalls in the family reunification process and how to avoid them

• Missing or incorrect apostille/legalisation. Foreign-issued documents without a valid apostille or consular legalisation will be rejected. Verify the legalisation requirements for your country before submitting.
• Uncertified translations. Translations must be carried out by a certified translator recognised by Greek authorities. Informal or self-prepared translations are not accepted.
• Weak proof of accommodation. A generic statement of intent is insufficient. Submit a registered rental contract or title deed, accompanied by utility bills demonstrating actual occupancy.
• Incomplete sponsor income evidence. Failing to provide the full range of income documentation, payslips, tax returns, EFKA records, is a frequent ground for delay or refusal.
• Selecting the wrong visa category. Applicants must select the family reunification category on the D‑visa form. Filing under the wrong visa type (e.g., tourism or study) will result in refusal.
• Late filing after arrival in Greece. Family members who fail to apply for their residence permit within the prescribed period after entry risk penalties or rejection. File within 30 days of arrival.
• Missing biometrics appointment. The residence permit application requires biometric data (fingerprints and photograph). Missing the scheduled appointment causes delays and may require rebooking.
• Applying at the wrong consulate. The D‑visa must be filed at the Greek consulate responsible for the applicant’s country of habitual residence, not at any consulate of convenience.
• Failure to notify changes in circumstances. Changes in the sponsor’s employment, residence, or marital status during the application process must be reported promptly to the competent authority.
• Not keeping copies. Always retain complete photocopies of every submitted document. Reconstruction after loss causes significant delay.

If your application is refused, you have the right to challenge the decision through administrative appeal and, ultimately, judicial review before the Greek administrative courts. Timelines for appeal are strict. Seeking legal advice immediately upon receiving a refusal is strongly recommended, you can find an immigration lawyer in Greece to assess your options.

Sources

1. Greek Ministry of Migration & Asylum, Residence permits
2. Hellenic MFA, National visa application form (long-stay / D visa)
3. Law 5275/2026, Official text (kodiko.gr)
4. PwC Greece, Legalflash: New Immigration Law (Law 5275/2026)
5. UNHCR Greece, Right to family reunification in Greece
6. Asylum Information Database (AIDA/ECRE), Family reunification in Greece
7. Nestia, Family reunification in Greece
8. Wise, Family reunification visa in Greece
9. Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular guidance